Courage, collaboration, and community spirit took centre stage at the 2025 Gippsland Primary Health Awards, where health professionals from across Gippsland came together to celebrate excellence and innovation in primary healthcare.
Presented by Gippsland PHN, the Gippsland Primary Health Awards recognise local health professionals and organisations making a tangible difference to the health and wellbeing of their communities.
Celebrating Courage Across Gippsland
Held on Wednesday 19 November at Federation University, Churchill, the Awards were presented alongside Gippsland PHN’s Annual General Meeting, shining a spotlight on people and organisations turning challenges into opportunities for better health across the region.
Guest speaker Dr Derk Pol, Director of Cardiology at Latrobe Regional Health, announced this year’s five exceptional winners, selected from an inspiring field of nominees representing the strength, diversity, and passion of Gippsland’s healthcare community.
“We had an outstanding calibre of applicants this year,” said Gippsland PHN CEO Amanda Proposch. “Our theme, Challenge to Courage, reflects the unique challenges our regional communities face.
These Awards celebrate those who turn obstacles into opportunities — innovating, improving quality, strengthening workplace culture, and building partnerships that deliver better health outcomes for Gippsland. Their work is an inspiration to us all.”
Awards were presented across four categories:
- Courageous Innovation
- Courageous Pursuit of Quality
- Courageous Culture
- Courageous Partnerships
“At the heart of these courageous organisations and programs are people leading with resilience, creativity, and a commitment to a healthier future for Gippsland,” Ms Proposch said. “Congratulations to all our winners and nominees.”
2025 Gippsland Primary Health Award Winners
Courageous Innovation — Buchan Bush Nursing Association
In a town known for resilience, Buchan Bush Nursing Association continues to embody courage in action. As Victoria’s oldest operating Bush Nursing Centre, the team has been the heartbeat of community care since 1911.
Following the 2019–20 bushfires, the Association recognised the need for consistent, trusted wellbeing support — and responded with innovation and compassion. Through funding from Bushfire Recovery Victoria, they employed a local Wellbeing Support Officer, helping reconnect residents, support vulnerable people, and strengthen local resilience through initiatives such as walk-and-talk groups and a thriving community garden.
Their locally led, people-first approach is a shining example of courageous innovation in primary healthcare.
Courageous Pursuit of Quality — Wellways Australia
Delivering compassionate, evidence-informed mental health support for older adults across Gippsland, the Mental Health in Aged Care (MHiAC) program demonstrates how co-design and continuous improvement can transform aged care. Operating within residential aged care facilities and through community outreach, the program provides tailored therapeutic care that helps residents adapt to new environments and maintain wellbeing. Driven by a courageous commitment to quality, Wellways engages participants, families, and partners to refine and enhance services in real time — ensuring coordinated, person-centred care that is accessible, flexible, and grounded in lived experience.
This holistic, data-driven, and deeply human approach exemplifies a courageous pursuit of quality in mental health care for older adults.
Courageous Culture (joint winners)
Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged
Yallambee has built a courageous, values-driven workplace where staff wellbeing, engagement, and professional growth are central. By fostering open communication, recognition, and development opportunities, the organisation has created a resilient, motivated team whose culture directly enhances care quality for residents.
Their focus on mental health, leadership, and inclusion has strengthened retention, morale, and collaboration — proving that a strong, supportive culture is the foundation for sustainable, high-quality aged care.
Cure and Care Family Practice, Drouin
Revitalising a long-unused medical centre and transforming it into a modern, purpose-built clinic, Cure and Care Family Practice has created a workplace — and community hub — built on compassion, collaboration, and resilience.
By empowering staff to innovate and take initiative, the team has built a culture where challenges are met with confidence and care. Their outreach to schools, aged care facilities, and vulnerable populations ensures accessible, high-quality healthcare for all.
Courageous Partnerships — Orbost Regional Health
When an increase in Q Fever cases was identified in Far East Gippsland, Orbost Regional Health responded with determination and teamwork — partnering with GippsDairy and Sale Medical Centre to deliver the region’s first Q Fever testing and vaccination clinics.
Their collaborative approach strengthened local preventive health services, reduced travel barriers, and showcased the power of partnership in improving community health outcomes.
This initiative stands as a model of what’s possible when local health organisations unite for a shared goal — a true example of courageous partnerships in action.
Gippsland PHN congratulates all nominees and winners for their extraordinary contributions to improving health and wellbeing across the region.
Read the full list of nominees and profiles here.
